Snow. Windchill. Airport delays. More snow. Soaked boots. Icy roads. Freezing rain. Lost mittens. And did I mention snow?
Nothing like extreme weather to trigger a whole lot of midwinter blues. A quick and colorful cure: Flowers. Research from Rutgers University shows that, simply put, flowers make us happy.
Specifically, the study found:
* Across all age groups, the reaction to receiving flowers was delight and gratitude.
* Study participants reported feeling less depressed, anxious and agitated after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction.
* The presence of flowers led to increased contact with family and friends.
"Common sense tells us that flowers make us happy," says Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at Rutgers and lead researcher on the study. “Now, science shows that not only do flowers make us happier than we know, they have strong positive effects on our emotional well being."
To read the full story, visit: aboutflowers.com. With that in mind, I’m highlighting five winter flowers that are a terrific tonic this season.
Poinsettias aren’t just for Christmas. Try some of the pastel varieties, such as cream, light green and pink, for a fresh take on an old favorite. They’re usually sold as plants, true, but try poinsettias as a cut flower too.
Amaryllis, elegant and mysterious, is another great floral choice as a plant or cut flower. Symbolizing pride, determination and radiant beauty, amaryllis is bound to perk you up during this harsh and chilly winter. And white amaryllis is a show stopper.
Carnations are super any time of year, especially if you are watching your spending. They’re relatively inexpensive and they last, last, last with minimal care. (That said, changing the vase water daily and recutting stems extends the life of any flower.)
In the language of flowers, chrysanthemums say optimism and joy. Also long lasting, there are so many fun types to try! My florist friends tell me button mums and spider mums are extra-trendy varieties right now.
Bells of Ireland are the perfect transition from winter to spring, with a white blossom in the center of each small green “bell.” Eye-catching and unusual, their long lines add a lovely feeling of light and air to any bouquet.
Flower Fact of the Day: Bells of Ireland are not, in fact, native to the Emerald Isle. The green color inspired the name and they symbolize good luck, but they are native to Turkey and Syria.
